Smriti Irani promises Centre's help to set up two universities in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday assured Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that the Centre would take steps to establish a Central university and a tribal varsity in the state in accordance to the AP Reorganisation Act-2014.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani. PTI

The Central university is proposed to be set up in Anantapuramu district, while the tribal varsity is to be located in Vizianagaram district. The state government has already agreed to provide necessary land for the two universities.

"Naidu told Irani that the Union Cabinet's nod was required to establish the two universities and requested her to expedite the process. The Union HRD Minister responded positively to this," a release from the CMO said.

Irani, who was in the city to take part in the 'Vikas Parv' programme organised by BJP to celebrate the two-year rule of Modi Government at the Centre, met Naidu on Tusday afternoon and discussed issues related to education sector.

Union MoS for Road Transport Pon Radhakrishnan also met the Chief Minister along with Irani.

When she told Naidu that universities like Stanford, Yale and Harvard are ready to establish their branches in India, he immediately asked her to arrange for their establishment in the state's new capital Amaravati, the release stated, adding she responded positively to this as well.

Irani also said the Centre is ready to extend all help to the state for improvement of educational sector. The Centre would particularly support the state in implementing the back-to-school programme for dropouts, it stated.

"The Centre has decided to provide conveyance facility to such students," she told the Chief Minister.

Naidu said the state government has asked engineering students to study the existing conditions in primary schools and suggest steps for improvements. The Union minister lauded this initiative, the release added.